Residents of Gravesend have expressed concerns regarding issues over parking, with problems occuring due to pathway obstructions.

One resident, Mark Steer, said: “There is a major problem with parking which needs to be addressed by Gravesham Council and Kent County Council in the Northfleet area. I’m a person who likes to go for a walk on occasions but I now can’t walk on paths as they are obstructed by vehicles parked across them.”

Mr Steer added: “Why are the councils and police allowing people to do this? Everyone, including disabled people and children, are having to walk on the roads.

“I’ve even noticed people parking on the grass now.

I think its about time this was stopped, if they continue to let one person do it everyone starts thinking it’s ok for them to do this as well, which is every wrong.”

Mr Steer believes that it would help if some of the grass area next to the road was removed, to allow extra space for parking.

Cllr Alan Ridgers, cabinet member for environmental revives, said: “Gravesham Borough Council takes parking contraventions very seriously, and where possible will take action.

However, our Civil Enforcement Officers can only take enforcement action on vehicles that are parked on footways or verges if there are double or single yellow lines on the road adjacent to where the vehicle is parked as these restrictions restrict parking from the centre of the carriageway to the edge of the public footway or verge.” He also said that, without a restriction, officers are unable to enforce, adding that vehicle obstructions should be reported to Kent Police by dialling 101.

He commented: “In addition to any enforcement action, the council do take proactive measures to try to educate and advise drivers of the inconvenience that footway parking and other nuisance parking causes in an attempt to reduce parking in this manner, for example printing articles in our borough magazine which gets delivered to every household in the borough.”

Mr Ridgers also advised people to make clear to the council which streets the issues are occurring on so that the situation can be monitored.